Hilton Heads Up!
Eating Out on Hilton Head: Web Deals
Dozens of the island’s finest restaurants are helping you watch your budget by offering “early bird” specials and significant discounts. Where to find them? Right on the web.
Alexander’s, which has been on the island since 1977, is a good example. For under $15, you’ll get a three-course meal, featuring entrees like Stuffed Filet of Flounder and Grilled Mahi Mahi. The very popular
CQ’s in Harbour Town takes a slightly different approach, offering a $25 gift certificate on your next visit.
The way to learn about specials and discounts at
Boathouse II is to sign up for their newsletter.
Skillets Café has an on-line 10% discount you can print out. Or you can join their club and get special offers via email.
Frankie Bones “early bird” menu features entrees like prime rib, spring and seafood platter, and seven more for $12.99.
If you want to check out just about every “early bird” special for area restaurants you’ll find them at
Hilton Head Island Restaurants Magazine site. The site is also full of information about the entire restaurant and club scene on the island.
Two monthly magazines have an excellent on-line presence and offer good, local information that includes restaurant features.
Celebrate Hilton Head (CH2) includes a free “
local card” that will get you discounts at over 140 local restaurants and businesses.
The dining section of Hilton Head Monthly magazine has features on both new and well established restaurant on Hilton Head.
If you’re coming our way (or are already here!), it pays to surf the web for a great (within budget) meal.
Labels: dining, hilton head, restaurants
Sea Shack: Fresh Sea Food on a Budget
At Hilton Heads Up, we like to share some Hilton Head Island “secrets” that most visitors don’t know about. However, thanks to Rachael Ray’s “$40 A Day” program a few years ago on the Food Network, the “secret” about
TheSea Shack is out. Once only frequented by locals, there are now lines. But the price is definitely right. Figure $10 to $12 for dinner. (Ergo, the lines.)
But the food is worth it. Fried and broiled fresh seafood. The special is always the catch of the day (and they mean it). Local commercial fishermen (and fisherwomen) know they always have a market at Sea Shack. (Hint: they eat there.)
The place is anything but elegant (Does the phrase “paper plates” tell you something?) and you have to know what you want before you get to the counter.
But the food, the hush puppies ... awesome, and generous portions.
It is family fare. Specials for the kids. Even the fried fish is light, tender. Yes, there are off days, but very, very few. Just remember, local islanders still eat there, but they go for lunch: no lines. Oh, yes. It’s hard to find.
Click here for a map. Your GPS isn’t that good. But the food. Did we mention, it is THAT GOOD.
Bon appétit – on a budget.
Labels: dining, hilton head, restaurants, tips
The Island's Baked Goods
We have a theory. When vacationing on Hilton Head Island, there are three things you should not concern yourselves with: calories, cholesterol, and sugar. If you avoid thinking about those three items, we firmly believe you will have a delightful time on our island.
If you haven’t been paying attention to that stuff prior to your vacation, it’s too late, so you might as well enjoy our heavenly delights and work it all off at the gym when you get home. If you HAVE been a goody-two-shoes about that stuff (and if you did, in fact, knock two sizes off your waist or lower your dress size), this is why you did it!
Enter Hilton Head Island’s “bakeries.” Coligny Bakery (at Coliginy Plaza on the south end) is totally decadent – and fresh. Everything is flaky, sweet and/or sinful, in the best sense of the word. It’s small (outside dining is fun), but there is always room. Harbour Town Bakery and Café has a delicious assortment of homemade muffins and pastries, and you get to sit outside here, too.
A few minutes from the entrance to Palmetto Dunes is
Ronnie’s Bakery. Donuts. Rolls. Sticky stuff. This is not Dunkin Donuts. This is the REAL item. This is a very local hangout. Expect very friendly service.
Mid-island, at Pineland Station, is the French Bakery and Courtyard Cafe. The crusty baguettes are a must. It is definitely a wonderful find. It’s also a local hangout. Come to think of it, if you haven’t visited Hilton Head Island in a while, Pineland Station is quite a find, too.
Finally, what is probably ... no ... it is in fact, a Hilton Head Island icon: Signe’s
Heaven Bound Bakery and Café. It’s on the south end of the island, and if you get there early enough, as you pull into the parking lot at 93 Arrow Road, you’ll smell the truly heavenly aroma of fresh breads and pastries baking. Signe’s has been featured in Southern Living Magazine, the New York Times, and was featured on the Food Network with Rachael Ray. There are islanders whose week would not be complete without a morning visit to Signe’s. For a “heaven bound bakery” it is very “sinful.” Enjoy it.
Labels: dining, hilton head, restaurants, tips
Breakfast everyone?
When you’re on vacation, what do you think is the most important meal of the day? Dinner at Hudson’s? While we love Hudson’s (and about three dozen other seafood eateries), a good breakfast, to us, is essential to a successful vacation. Ergo, the best breakfast place is:
No question: Skillets. Sure, they have a great lunch and dinner – and live entertainment at night – but we’re talking rib-sticking, honest-to-goodness-serious BREAKFAST. Yes, Hilton Head has other fine choices but, you’re what, 30 yards from the beach, you can have your eggs any way you like them. HUGE pancakes. Fresh juice. REAL grits and hash browns. (Map.)
O.K. Another “no question:” Palmetto Bay Sunrise Café. True to their name, they open the doors at 6 A.M. That’s the time they start their Early Bird Special (6 - 8 A.M.). For $5 you can get a couple of eggs, meat, grits or hash browns and toast. (Map.)
Another sure thing, and VERY local, is Signe’s. We will accept your thanks after you’ve experienced this island tradition. Everything you eat there is hand and home made. There is nothing on the menu we wouldn’t recommend. The actual name of the establishment is “Signe's Heaven Bound Bakery & Café. You want to meet locals, meet at Signe’s. It’s one of those places where you want to say, “I’ll take one of everything.” (Map.)
O.K. Finally. Local, local, local. Plantation Café and Deli will get you into a great breakfast mood. Everything is more or less custom.
How to choose? Our recommendation: All of the above. Hog out. Believe us, you’ll need the energy. If children are involved in your Hilton Head Island vacation, do not be ashamed to ask for seconds.
Dear, do you mind passing the syrup?
Labels: dining, hilton head, tips
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